Homemade jam

My friend Lesley recently moved from DC back to her hometown in upstate New York. I miss her terribly but she and her husband are off to some pretty exciting adventures. It's worth noting that the area where she grew up is fantastically gorgeous.

Think: lush green land, sailing on the Finger Lakes, superb local white wine and great skiing. In other words, it's a mini-paradise.

Lesley being the great cook that she is has taken full advantage of the garden she has at her home. When we spoke recently she casually mentioned that she had just finished making fig jam that afternoon. Yummm....that has to be one of my all-time favorite spreads.

Her foray into jam-making really inspired me. Why don't I give that a go? Well, in a funny twist of fate, I may not have any excuses not to now. Kiss My Spatula has the easiest recipe ever. Check it out (and if these pictures don't convince you to try it too, I don't know what will).